Do we not all wonder where the time goes from time to time? I am convinced the older I get, the faster it flies by. Here we are, powering through February like it’s nobody’s business. As I write this, we’re only 60 days, 14 hours, 32 minutes, and 8 seconds away from the annual conference. I know that because I’m looking at this neato webpage with a countdown timer Joe Toste created for the TechTables Live Podcast tour happening at TAGITM this year. Joe and I went back and forth for a while trying to line this up, and I’m stoked to report his incredibly popular show will be live at TAGITM! The TAGITM star continues to rise, and I’m all for it man! Folks interested in being on the show, be sure to book an intro call with Joe!

Ok, I don’t want to go off on another tangent about how awesome the TAGITM conference is going to be because I can easily do that. Everyone already knows it’s going to be the hottest ticket in town, that’s how we roll, big dawg! Something I do want to talk about is the recent South Texas Regional Summit in The Woodlands and the upcoming GIS Summit in Lewisville. First off, as always, thank you so much to the tech leaders in those respective communities for allowing us to make use of their incredibly beautiful facilities. I cannot thank William Pham and Chris Lee enough, and of course Keshnel Penny from Grand Prairie as well for allowing TAGITM to use his beautiful facility late last year for the North Texas Regional Summit. Leaders like that are the reason why TAGITM is what it is!

Every two years, the Matagorda County Emergency Operations Center performs FEMA-graded drills with the South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Company. Several years ago, a couple of ham radio operators joined our EOC. Each time we had a drill, people would scratch their heads and wonder "why in the world are they here?".

Then Hurricane Beryl hit Matagorda County around 4 a.m. on the morning of July 8th, 2024. Power was knocked out, and when I woke up, I noticed there was no cellular service. By the time I got dressed and made it to the end of my road I was met by the Sheriff’s Office. The LT rolled down the window and said "Get to the office. Everything is out."

The Education Committee has been hard at work planning an incredible agenda for this year’s annual conference! We received so many fantastic session submissions that choosing was a challenge—so much so that we’ve added an additional track this year!

Be on the lookout for the official agenda and get ready for an amazing lineup of sessions coming your way in April.

A huge thank you to everyone who has attended our regional events. We are thrilled to see such strong participation at both locations and are looking forward to the upcoming GIS Summit as well.

We can’t wait to see you all at the conference in April! Stay tuned for more updates.

The Texas Association of Governmental Information Technology Managers (TAGITM) and GMIS International have established a strategic partnership to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing among public sector IT professionals. This agreement fosters a national exchange of best practices, strategies, and policies aimed at improving government efficiency through technology.

What is GMIS?

GMIS (Government Management Information Sciences) is an international organization that supports IT professionals working in government agencies. It provides networking opportunities, best practice sharing, training, and resources to help IT leaders navigate challenges in public sector technology.

What are the benefits of this partnership?

1. Networking & Collaboration – Connects IT leaders across different government agencies, allowing members to collaborate with peers nationwide.
2. Best Practices & Knowledge Sharing – Provides insights into IT governance, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and emerging technologies, helping members improve their organizations' efficiency.
3. Training & Professional Development – Offers webinars, newsletters, and conferences

By fostering this partnership, TAGITM and GMIS International are empowering IT leaders with the tools, resources, and network needed to drive innovation and resilience in public sector technology.

The TAGITM Board of Directors is proud to announce our 2025 Call for Awards Nominations. We want to bring to your attention our newest award, the Beth Ann Unger Women in Technology Award. The TAGITM Board is very excited to honor Beth Ann in this way, and they look forward to receiving nominations in all award categories. The Awards Committee will judge all awards, and award recommendations will be submitted to the Executive Board for review. Please note the deadline for submissions is Friday, March 7, 2025.

The TAGITM Board has established the Women in Technology Scholarship in honor of long-time TAGITM member Beth Ann Unger, who passed away in 2023. This scholarship is open to female technology professionals looking to further their careers in the technology/IT field.

Recipients of the Women in Technology Scholarship recipients will be honored during the annual awards luncheon during the TAGITM Annual Conference taking place April 22-25 in San Antonio, Texas.

TAGITM is accepting nominations for President, Vice-President, and Secretary/Treasurer for one-year terms.

The Texas Association of Governmental IT Managers (TAGITM) invites you to the 2025 Annual Education Conference, happening April 22-25, 2025. This premier event brings together IT professionals from across the state for an opportunity to learn, network, and explore the latest innovations in government technology.

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